2018 NFL mock draft: 4-round projections heading into Super Bowl LII

Soak it up, football fans. Only one more real game left before the long, barren offseason.

The lone beacon of hope in that wasteland is the NFL draft, and after Super Sunday, the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles will join the rest of the league in their preparations for another attempt at a playoff run. While free agency will play a significant role in that process, the best franchises are the ones that are able to build their foundation through the draft.

As Super Bowl LII creeps over the horizon, it’s time for an updated look at how the first four rounds of the 2018 NFL draft could shake out.

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FIRST ROUND

If new general manager John Dorsey is going to hit the reset button at quarterback, Rosen makes the most sense. He’s got his flaws, but Rosen’s the most pro-ready passer in this year’s class. His “character concerns” are much ado about nothing, too.

I’m not sold on new general manager Dave Gettleman taking a quarterback here, but the Giants should strongly consider taking this rare opportunity with such a high pick to find Eli Manning’s eventual successor. Darnold’s 2017 campaign was a roller-coaster, but his upside and physical tools will get him taken in the top five.

I wouldn’t be surprised if an offensive-minded coach like Josh McDaniels grabs Saquon Barkley here, but the Colts have much bigger needs elsewhere on both sides of the ball. The more glaring need is for a dominant pass-rusher, and Chubb’s complete skill set fits the bill perfectly.

Another team likely to be tempted by Barkley, the Browns would be wise to focus their attention on their need for a difference-maker in the secondary. Fitzpatrick’s versatility will make him a dangerous defensive weapon at the next level, whether he lines up at corner or safety.

Quarterback is a popular pick here in most mock drafts, and for good reason. John Elway could easily spend this pick on another young gun to accomplish what Paxton Lynch hasn’t, but whoever ends up under center, he could use some better protection. Nelson might be the best overall prospect in this class, regardless of position.

No team needs a franchise quarterback as badly as the Jets, but this year’s deep class should give them a chance to find one here. What Mayfield lacks in ideal size, he makes up for in just about every other area of his game.

There are bigger needs for the Bucs, but with Chubb and Nelson both off the board here, the combination of value and need with Barkley is just too much to pass up. With Doug Martin likely headed elsewhere this offseason, Tampa Bay could use a three-down weapon with the rare talent Barkley brings to the table.

Mitchell Trubisky should have a lot more fun with the offensively minded Matt Nagy as his new head coach, but general manager Ryan Pace needs to find him some weapons this offseason. Ridley’s explosiveness and big-play ability is exactly what their young quarterback needs to take the next step in his development.

I think the 49ers would love to see Nelson fall to them here, but if he’s off the board, Landry would hardly be a disappointing consolation prize. A versatile, explosive rusher who led the FBS in sacks two years ago, Landry is a perfect fit for what the 49ers need on the edge.

This defense needs help at every level, so this pick is all about finding the best value at any position across the entire unit. In this scenario, Smith is that player. A top-five talent in a deep linebacker class, Smith has the instincts, athleticism and physical mentality that can transform an entire defense.

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